FoodBlogSouth, Birmingham’s first food blogging conference

January 4, 2011

tags: André Natta, Birmingham, blogging, Christy Jordan, conference, Erin Shaw Street, food, FoodBlogSouth, Foodimentary, Hungry for More: How Blogging Keeps Customers Coming Back for More, Jason Horn, John-Bryan Hopkins, Shaun Chavis, Tanner Latham

by Wade Kwon

Video: Christy Jordan may grace us with a song or two at FoodBlogSouth …

I’m excited to tell you about a hometown event that combines two of my passions: blogging and ~~eating~~ food.

Birmingham will play host to FoodBlogSouth this month, and I will be a speaker at this inaugural event. Organized by my friends Shaun Chavis and Jason Horn, two of the smartest foodies I know, this one-day conference will be the event for networking and learning within the food and restaurant community.

I am thrilled that Birmingham is home to this event. I cannot stop talking about the fantastic food trends going on here, from festivals to restaurants to markets to cooking to blogging.

If you’re a food blogger who wants to hit the next level, including publishing a cookbook like my friend and fellow speaker Christy Jordan, this conference is for you.

If you’re a restaurant owner or food entrepreneur who wants to promote your great offerings through blogging and social media, this conference is for you.

My friend and former Southern Living colleague Tanner Latham and my Birmingham Blogging Academy cohort André Natta will be on hand, as well as Mr. Foodimentary himself, John-Bryan Hopkins. And I found out today that my friend and other Southern Living colleague Erin Shaw Street will moderate a must-see panel on Gulf seafood and the BP oil spill.

Trust me: This is a lineup of speakers you won’t want to miss.

And me? I’ll be talking about blogging and content management specifically for restaurant and food websites. Even the smallest cafe or hot sauce startup can leverage the power of 21st-century communication with easy-to-learn techniques. The presentation is called “Hungry for More: How Blogging Keeps Customers Coming Back for More,” and I hope you’ll join me.

Update Jan. 8: The conference schedule has been posted.

Registration is just $135 for a full day of workshops, picking my brain and networking on Jan. 22 at the lovely Woodrow Hall in Woodlawn. But if you use my special discount code, FBSwade, you’ll save $20. That’s right: It’s only $115 for the conference, lunch plus two parties (Jan. 21 and 22!).

Update Jan. 8: I forgot to mention that a portion of the proceeds will go to help two very worthy causes in Alabama: Desert Island Supply Co. (a nonprofit writing program for Birmingham students) and the Alabama Gulf Coast Environmental Recovery Fund (in wake of the BP oil spill).

Hurry, seating is limited, and I don’t want you to miss out.